Free Web NovelChapter 175: A Bouquet of Candies (2)
An involuntary shiver coursed through Viktor. Holding the title of Finance Minister, wielding significant financial influence over the Empire, and with the proud lineage of royalty in his background, he was more used to instilling fear than feeling it. Yet, in this moment, in the presence of the young Kestrel, an unfamiliar sensation of unease took hold.
It was an unsettling feeling he’d only previously felt when in the company of "that woman".
Despite Kestrel’s icy exterior, Viktor maintained a friendly facade. His plump face lit up in a warm smile, making it difficult for anyone to maintain a hard stance against him.
But Kestrel was different. She didn’t wear her heart on her sleeve to comfort those around her. In fact, she wasn’t particularly skilled at showcasing her feelings. Instead, she had a unique ability to tap into the emotional currents surrounding her, gauging the true intentions of those she interacted with.
Beneath Viktor’s manufactured grin, she could detect a whirlpool of darker emotions — a mix of concealed disdain, jealousy, scorn, and even some unsavory thoughts directed towards her.
"Such twisted intentions," she thought.
"I need to leave; I can’t stand this anymore."
"Why even engage with someone so vile?"
"I can’t bear another moment here."
Kestrel’s pace quickened, trying to put distance between her and Viktor. Yet, he persisted, his hefty frame trailing behind her, "Hold on, Kestrel," he huffed. "Don’t move so swiftly. I truly worry for your safety. Please reconsider venturing out without reason in the coming days."
Casting cautious glances around, he lowered his voice, "Whispers of rebel activities have been circulating."
Kestrel’s stride hesitated.
In her earlier days at the Tower, she had been blissfully unaware of words like rebellion or traitors. The Empire, in her eyes, was a beacon of strength and grandeur, untouched by dissent or insurrection.
However, in the last couple of years, as she navigated through different Empire outposts, she had witnessed the plight of those at society’s lowest rungs, struggling just to survive.
Kestrel had come to realize that many in this world were not happy under the shadow of the dark Empire. They no longer wanted to put up with a system that seemed so twisted and unfair. These people had felt too much hurt and unfairness. They carried deep anger and hurt in their hearts, hiding in every nook and cranny of the Empire’s vast expanse. Their hope was to rise up and challenge this huge, powerful force, aiming to knock down this crumbling, unlikable Tower.
People called them rebels and insurgents.
Kestrel had come across stories of these rebels and some of the bold things they’d done.
In her eyes, they weren’t just troublemakers or robbers; she hoped their passion and drive would spread even faster. She wished for the fall of the Empire, which seemed so blind to what was truly right or wrong. She hoped the twisted Tower would come down sooner rather than later.
"The world’s been pretty chaotic recently. These rebels are stirring up trouble everywhere, even in the heart of the Imperial Nexus," Viktor said, his face showing clear worry.
For high-ranking folks like him, always living in the fancy Imperial Nexus, the problems of the Polluted Zones and mutants didn’t matter much to them. To them, these were just ways to get richer. The real danger came from the rebels who dared to challenge them directly, even trying to sneak into the Imperial Nexus and hurt its leaders.
"Thinking of you out there, it makes me worried, Kestrel. It might be safer if you stayed indoors," he said, a look of sincere worry on his face. He acted as if he deeply cared about Kestrel, like she was family. But inside, he couldn’t help but judge her. He thought she didn’t value the golden chances that many others would love to have. fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm
Viktor couldn’t wrap his head around why Kestrel, favored by the Queen, wouldn’t stay close and try to be the Queen’s favorite. He wondered why Kestrel, a beta, would wander all around the world without a clear purpose.
For those like him, even with royal lineage, they didn’t get much attention from the Queen. Getting a mere glimpse of her was a big deal.
"Just recently, one of the rebels was caught, even among the royal guards," Viktor shared quietly, wanting to show he was in the loop,
"People say the Queen questioned him herself. Luther was even blamed. You should be extra careful when you’re up there."
Kestrel continued her climb to the tower’s peak. The palace there was as grand and silent as she remembered, carrying the unmistakable presence of the Queen. From the main hall, she heard soft, unsettling sounds, like quiet cries or whispers, paired with an odd, squelchy noise.
A powerful wave of emotion, sharp and intense, washed over Kestrel, causing her to pause in her steps.
The Queen, sitting regally on her huge throne and dressed in pure white, looked almost emotionless. But as she saw Kestrel, a small hint of happiness showed on her face, and she signaled for Kestrel to come closer.
"I’ve heard you’ve been spending time with the alphas lately. How’s that going? Are you getting the hang of teamwork in battles? Did you come across anything unusual in the Polluted Zones?" The Queen asked with her usual soft tone. But Kestrel’s focus was elsewhere.
In a dimly lit side hallway, she noticed a large metal cage. It seemed to hold some kind of weird creature. Those soft, haunting sounds she’d heard earlier? They were coming from that very spot.
It was too shadowy to get a good look, but it seemed like the creature inside had parts that looked like an insect’s back end, human-like arms and legs, and wings that flapped as if trying to break free.
Chills ran down Kestrel’s spine. She felt like two bright-red eyes were watching from the dark, focused squarely on them. Waves of deep pain and anger seemed to flow out from the cage, so overpowering it was almost hard to breathe.
